Tuesday May 08, 2007

The Future

The Future
Each year ESPN The Magazine does a feature on people they think will change the landscape in sports in the next ten years. Some are high school superstars in sports and some are even younger. Below is a list of some of the people that COULD shape Clemson sports in the next ten years and beyond:

Bill D’Andrea-Will Terry Don Phillips leave now or in the future for his alma mater? If he ever does D’Andrea becomes a candidate to become the next A.D. at Clemson. Billy D’ started out in football but has more balance on his resume each year. He should get an interview when the job becomes available.

Dabo Swinney-Clemson’s wide receiver coach was close to becoming the new offensive coordinator had Rob Spence left for Minnesota. Swinney is a bright mind with very good people skills. The administration thinks a lot of him also. I think he has a big future in Clemson if he chooses.

Billy Napier-Like Swinney, Napier is on the fast track in football. He has made a tremendous impression on many in the athletic department. A Bowden to Swinney to Napier transition makes too much sense.

Shaka Smart-This is one of the fastest risers in the basketball industry. Smart is considered an excellent recruiter but is also trusted by Oliver Purnell with strategy especially on offense. I was a little surprised to find out how involved he is in the offense. No pun intended but Smart is another very bright young coach.

C.J. Spiller-On the field no one has a brighter future than Spiller. I don’t know how long he will be here but he has the potential to make a tremendous impact. Spiller could affect the program for years down the road,

Willy Korn-He has yet to take snap at Clemson but Korn has the same type of potential as Spiller. Also like Spiller, Korn has the type of personality that could have a long term affect in Tigertown. I would imagine you could see a few number 3 jerseys around campus in the next few years.

DaQuan Bowers-This is perhaps the best defensive high school football player to come out of South Carolina in many years. Bowers is an unbelievable specimen that could remind you of Trevor Pryce. It is not a stretch to think Bowers could be an NFL pick just three years removed from high school.

Rickey Sapp-Gaines Adams was just picked fourth overall in the NFL draft and Sapp is ahead of Adams’ pace to this point. He can be as good as he wants to be and his record setting potential could have a huge impact on this program.

Trevor and Devin Booker-This past year we saw enough of Trevor Booker’s potential to get us excited about the big man’s future. He is the kind of player you could build around. Some think his younger brother has as much potential.

Cashmere Wright-Potential is another word to describe this scoring threat at point guard.

Kevin O’Sullivan-When Jack Leggett hangs it up O’Sullivan should be a candidate. He is a very good recruiter and has done an excellent job with the pitching staff for years.

Tim Corbin-Some in college baseball feel Corbin is the best coach in America. He currently has Vanderbilt among the national title contenders. Some close to the program also feel he would be interested if Clemson ever came calling.

John Pawlowski-Like O’Sullivan and Corbin, Pawlowski will have his supporters after Jack Leggett retires.

Jacoby Ford-This speedster has a chance to make an impact in two sports. His big play capability in football has coaches extremely excited. His track numbers are better than former Tigers who went on to win Olympic medals. He could have a long-term affect in either sport.

Kyle Stanley-We have seen Lucas Glover and Jonathan Byrd win on the PGA Tour and but neither were the ACC Player of the Year as a freshman. Some think Stanley has big-time potential to make a huge impact on the PGA Tour. I think he may help the Tigers to another NCAA title first.

Jordan Byrd-When Larry Penley retires Byrd may be the next Clemson golf coach. He was very influential in signing Stanley and Sam Saunders.

Rodney Williams, Tom Winkopp, Leighton Cubbage-The Clemson Board of Trustees will have a lot of turnover and any of these guys would be great additions.

Dwight Clark-Some former Clemson players have expressed their interest in getting Clark back involved in the athletic department. He has great experience in the NFL front office so could he be the next A.D?

Kyle Young-Like Swinney and Napier, this former football star is a fast riser in the athletic department. Young could be a candidate for the A.D. job at Clemson at some time in the future.

Andy Johnston-There are some that believe that Johnston could be in line for the assistant athletic director’s job when Dwight Rainey retires.

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